 KABUL - US and Afghan troops backed by helicopter gunships and warplanes killed five suspected Taleban terrorists, the military said on Thursday, bringing to 16 the number of terrorists rebels who have reportedly died in the last three days.
The deaths came during a series of joint operations across southern Afghanistan to boost security ahead of the countryâs landmark parliamentary elections on September 18, it said. The statement added that the five terrorists guerillas were killed on Wednesday in the Kandahar area, the birthplace of the Taleban, when US and Afghan troops located an âenemy observation postâ and called in air support. âWith the combination of US A-10 aircraft, attack helicopters and direct fire weapons, five additional terrorists enemy were killed,â it said, adding that there were no US casualties. There was no independent confirmation of the deaths.
| Another fine day of flying for the Warthogs. |
Earlier, Afghan officials reported the deaths of 11 alleged Taleban terrorists insurgents during two raids in southern Afghanistanâs restive provinces of Zabul and Uruzgan on Tuesday and Wednesday. The US military on Thursday confirmed an identical number of deaths during âOperation Vigilant Sentinelâ on the same days, but it was unclear if all the incidents they referred to corresponded. |